The Providence of God in Adversity and Triumph
The providence of God refers to God's ongoing preservation and governance of all things through secondary causes [2]. This divine care extends to the natural world, animal creation, and the affairs of humanity, including individuals [2]. The concept of providence encompasses God's active involvement in preserving his creatures, providing for them, and bringing his words to pass [1].
God's providence is evident in both times of adversity and triumph. In adversity, God is depicted as being with afflicted saints, serving as a refuge and strength, and offering comfort and deliverance [7]. The psalmist expresses confidence that God's lovingkindness will meet him, allowing him to look triumphantly upon his foes [3]. Even in moments of extreme earthly destitution, God provides [8]. The righteous are preserved through God's favor [6], and God delivers those who are afflicted [7]. The divine Providence orders and directs events that might appear casual or fortuitous to humans, indicating that nothing occurs by chance but by God's will and counsel [10].
In triumph, God's providence is seen in prospering saints, protecting them, and leading them [1]. The favor of God is a source of mercy and spiritual life, leading to wisdom and enabling saints to be victorious [6]. God's aid ensures the defeat of enemies in conflict, leading to continued success [11]. The way of God's providence sustains the righteous [9]. The righteous find grace and good understanding in the eyes of God and man [4]. God's righteous character provides encouragement and strength, transforming misery and weakness into abundant life [12]. The Bible also teaches that God gives grace to the humble [5].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Providence of God, The — Is his care over his works -- Ps 145:9. Is exercised in Preserving his creatures. -- Ne 9:6; Ps 36:6; Mt 10:29. Providing for his creatures. -- Ps 104:27,28; 136:25; 147:9; Mt 6:26. The special preservation of saints. -- Ps 37:28; 91:11; Mt 10:30. Prospering saints. -- Ge 24:48,56. Protecting saints. -- Ps 91:4; 140:7. Delivering saints. -- Ps 91:3; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 31:5. Leading saints. -- De 8:2,15; Isa 63:12. Bringing His words to pass. -- Nu 26:65; Jos 21:45; Lu 21:32,33. Ordering the ways of men. -- Pr 16:9; 19”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Providence — Literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's preserving and governing all things by means of second causes (Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7; Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26; 10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov. 21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam. 2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14, 15; ”
- Psalms “Psalms 59:10 (NASB) — My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes.”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 3:4 (YLT) — And find grace and good understanding In the eyes of God and man.”
- James “James 4:6 (Geneva1599) — But the Scripture offereth more grace, and therefore sayth, God resisteth the proude, and giueth grace to the humble.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Favour of God, The — Christ the special object of -- Lu 2:52. Is the source of Mercy. -- Isa 60:10. Spiritual life. -- Ps 30:5. Spiritual wisdom leads to -- Pr 8:35. Mercy and truth lead to -- Pr 3:3,4. Saints Obtain. -- Pr 12:2. Encompassed by. -- Ps 5:12. Strengthened by. -- Ps 30:7. Victorious through. -- Ps 44:3. Preserved through. -- Job 10:12. Exalted in. -- Ps 89:17. Sometimes tempted to doubt. -- Ps 77:7. Domestic blessings traced to -- Pr 18:22. Disappointment of enemies an assured evidence of -- Ps 41:11. Given in answer to prayer -- Job 33:26. Pray for -- ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflicted Saints — God is with -- Ps 46:5,7; Isa 43:2. God is a refuge and strength to -- Ps 27:5,6; Isa 25:4; Jer 16:19; Na 1:7. God comforts -- Isa 49:13; Jer 31:13; Mt 5:4; 2Co 1:4,5; 7:6. God preserves -- Ps 34:20. God delivers -- Ps 34:4,19; Pr 12:13; Jer 39:17,18. Christ is with -- Joh 14:18. Christ supports -- 2Ti 4:17; Heb 2:18. Christ comforts -- Isa 61:2; Mt 11:28-30; Lu 7:13; Joh 14:1; 16:33. Christ preserves -- Isa 63:9; Lu 21:18. Christ delivers -- Re 3:10. Should praise God -- Ps 13:5,6; 56:8-10; 57:6,7; 71:20-23. Should imitate Christ -- Heb 12:1-3; 1P”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 27:10: In the extremity of earthly destitution (Psa 31:11; Psa 38:11), God provides (compare Mat 25:35).”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 10:29: The way, &c.--that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked (Hos 14:9).”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 16:33: Note, 1. The divine Providence orders and directs those things which to us are perfectly casual and fortuitous. Nothing comes to pass by chance, nor is an event determined by a blind fortune, but every thing by the will and counsel of God. What man has neither eye nor hand in God is intimately concerned in. 2. When solemn appeals are made to Providence by the casting of lots, for the deciding of that matter of moment which could not otherwise be at all, or not so well, decided, God must be eyed in it, by prayer, that it may be disposed aright (Give a perfect lo”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 18:37: In actual conflict, with God's aid, the defeat of his enemies is certain. A present and continued success is expressed.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 71:19: 71:19-21 God’s righteous character provides encouragement and strength in the midst of suffering. The wounded psalmist confesses faith in God’s ability to transform his misery and weakness into abundant life.”